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Tengrinews.kz – Online platforms for children, in particular the popular game Roblox and others, are increasingly at the center of scandals and lawsuits around the world. Under the guise of players, predators may hide there, building trusting relationships with children and luring them into private chats. Against this backdrop of concern, the Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights under the Ministry of Education has urged Kazakh families to closely monitor their children’s online activity.
What’s happening worldwide
Roblox is one of the most popular children’s games in the world. It is structured as a “digital sandbox”: users create their own game worlds, interact, and invite each other. The ease of registration and freedom of interaction have made Roblox a favorite among schoolchildren, but this openness has also attracted those who exploit the platform for criminal purposes. Experts note that predators can meet children in chats, move conversations into private channels, and attempt to pressure them into dangerous actions.
In recent years, major global media outlets have reported on the risks associated with the game:
- Bloomberg and Wired highlight the rising number of exploitation cases: from hundreds recorded in 2019 to tens of thousands by 2024.
- In the U.S., dozens of lawsuits have been filed against adults who contacted children through Roblox. One case in North Carolina involved a man accused of offering a 10-year-old girl in-game currency, Robux, in exchange for explicit photos.
- In Europe and the U.S., investigations are ongoing into cases where children, after meeting in Roblox, were lured into private chats where they were pressured into explicit conversations or blackmailed.
- In Russia, in August 2025, the Ordzhonikidze District Court of Yekaterinburg sentenced a man to 15 years in a maximum-security colony. According to investigators, he met a 12-year-old boy in Roblox and later committed violent acts against the child.
- In Turkey, Qatar, and Kuwait, the game has already been restricted, and authorities in Indonesia have warned of a possible full ban unless developers strengthen chat filtering.
Kazakhstan context
Amid such reports, the Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights of the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan reminded parents about basic online safety measures:
What children should not do online:
- share personal data (address, phone number, family details);
- enter anonymous chats or suspicious groups;
- play online games without parental supervision.
Warning signs in behavior to watch for:
- the child has become withdrawn or aggressive;
- sleep disturbances, anxiety, or frequent night awakenings;
- unexplained cuts or bruises;
- interest in disturbing videos or symbols.
Where to seek help:
- police (102);
- school psychologist;
- 24/7 helpline “111.”
The Committee emphasizes: noticing changes in time and having a conversation with your child can help protect them from online threats, which are increasingly becoming a topic of global concern.
